Erwin NCOA, ALS opens new doors for Air Force leaders Published March 28, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Stephen Teel 36th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Erwin Professional Military Education center, on Kadena Air Base recently opened the doors to a new building, which greeted a new class of technical sergeants and senior airmen for the Noncommissioned Officer Academy and Airman Leadership courses. These courses are designed to prepare technical sergeants to manage Air Force units and to prepare senior airmen to supervise and lead Air Force work teams, all to support the employment of air, space and cyberspace power. Although the building is new, the courses offered remain committed to develop individuals into professional, war-fighting Airmen and top-notch leaders by teaching them to apply critical thinking skills and to lead other Airmen in a mission-oriented environment. "When you leave here you will be able to apply knowledge and concepts to situations that may come up during your Air Force career that will reinforce our core values - Service Before Self, Integrity First, and Excellence In All We Do," said Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent, Erwin PME commandant. "We are here to make technical sergeants and senior airmen better leaders, communicators and managers. Our PME instructors are the architects shaping Airmen into effective leaders who will be able to make good decisions and lead subordinates effectively to support the Air Force mission." Throughout the lessons, the instructors present an arrangement of guided discussions, briefings, case studies and test during the duration of ALS and NCOA. Because the Air Force requires its members to be effective communicators, the expectations for graduates are high. "Once an Airman graduates the Erwin PME center it is no longer about what leadership is doing. It is about what they are doing as leaders," said Master Sgt. Mike Phillips, Erwin NCOA instructor. "Technical sergeants in the Air Force are leaders tasked with leading and developing subordinates to complete the Air Force mission." "During my time at the NCO Academy I have learned different styles of leadership to apply to a variety of situations that may arise during my Air Force career," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Allyn, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron, NCOIC passenger terminal. "The NCOA has left me with a feeling of confidence and belief in my abilities to be a better leader, manager and co-worker."